Flights to Velana International increases by 11 percent

Flight landings at Velana International has increased by 11% during first five months of 2018. | Photo: Ahmed Shurau/Avas

Flights to Velana International Airport (VIA) during the first five months of 2018 has increased by 11 percent.

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), managing the international airport, reported to state media Public Service Media (PSM) of a total of 22,000 landing at the airport by May 2018.

MACL also confirms that the passenger count increased to 2.3 million during the period, which marks a 9% increase from the same period of previous year's figures.

Cargo imported through the international airport during the same period in 2018 has increased by 9 percent.

During the month of February; tourism industry's peak season, the flight movement at the international airport increased by 24% compared to 2017.

Meanwhile Maldives government has initiated a mega development project aimed at the international terminal which has an estimated project value exceeding USD800 million. The development project includes a new passenger terminal promptly increasing the passenger capacity in the airport.

In addition to this a 3,400 meter runway development is under the project as well; which will add a new landing and parking area at the airport island.